Mikko Hirvonen took his first win on home soil at the Rally of Finland to extend his World Rally Championship lead over Sebastien Loeb to three points.
Hirvonen and Citroen driver Loeb had looked set for a titanic battle for victory when they were virtually inseparable during Friday’s stages, but a puncture for Loeb on Saturday morning ensured the Blue Oval driver had the cushion to pace himself to the finish in his home town of Jyvaskyla. The Press Association
“All the time we were able to win some seconds on Loeb,” said Hirvonen, who won his first rally on home soil. “Since a small boy I have read the list of legends who have won here, and now we have a victory in our pocket too. Great to be an extension to that list. This is the rally all Finnish drivers want to win the most.”
Hirvonen now has 68 points at the top of the standings, with Loeb at 65.
“It is a long way to the title still, there are difficult events left”, Hirvonen said.
The series will finish with events in Australia in September, followed by Spain and Wales in October. USA Today
“It was a good battle with Mikko, but he was really fast here,” said Citroen-driver Loeb.
“It was looking good for Mikko to begin with but after my puncture it was over. I lost too much time and it was not possible to come back - the gap was too much.
“But okay, we are here, we lost two points in the championship - but it’s better than losing ten like we did on the last couple of events!
“We’re still in the running which is what counts. Everything is still to play for. It will be an interesting end to the championship I think.”
Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala finished third in a Ford Focus 49.9 seconds behind the winner and was also relieved to make the podium after his last stage disaster on the previous round in Poland. AFP
